Burnley fans urged to Pack the Turf

CLARETS fans have been urged to ‘Pack The Turf’ as they bid for promotion to the Premier League today.

Burnley can clinch a place in the richest league in the world with a home win over Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

Club legends including Jimmy McIlroy have backed the campaign, urging fans to ensure the game is a sell-out and the players are roared on to victory.

Clarets chairman John Banaszkiewicz has made a rallying call to the people of the town to play their part.

He said: “You can’t not be there. It is a chance to be part of a moment in history. “We have broken records all season, with the best start to a season since 1897, the longest post-war unbeaten run at home in the league and beating Blackburn for the first time in 35 years.

“This could be the final piece in the jigsaw.

“We need supporters to get behind the team and the lads and give them the best support to complete the task.

“If you miss it, you might miss out.”

Manager Sean Dyche also praised the contribution of Burnley supporters this season.

He said: “As it has built this season, I have mentioned how important the positivity of the fans has been.

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“I thought they were fantastic against Middlesbrough last week in a game we totally dominated and they saw that there were some unjust things that went against us.

“I thought they were excellent again at Blackpool on Friday. They travelled in numbers and they were very supportive.

“It absolutely makes a difference when they are positive, there is no two ways about it.

“I have been a player and it definitely does make a difference. Our supporters have been absolutely fantastic.”

Club bosses have also launched a Twitter ‘hashtag’ ‘#gottobethere’ so fans can show their support online ahead of the massive fixture.

Burnley FC spokesman Darren Bentley added: “We are expecting a big gate with big queues at the turnstiles and at the ticket office.

“We hope that people will turn up early and will turn out in force to help push the lads over the line.

“We have got people coming from all over the world who have been using the hashtag on twitter.”

The last time Burnley won promotion at Turf Moor was 41 years ago with a 2-0 win over Sunderland on April 16, 1973. Jimmy McIlroy, 82, who played 439 times for the Clarets between 1950 and 1962, backed the campaign and urged fans to ‘Pack the Turf’.

He said: “The supporters can make such a big difference and if they all get down there it will be a big deal for them and for the club.

“A packed Turf would certainly help urge the players on to win and gain promotion.”

Andy Lochhead, who writes a column for the Lancashire Telegraph and entertains guests in the 1882 Lounge on matchdays, said: “I back this 150 per cent.

“I am quite confident they will pack the stadium. It must be nearly a sell-out in the home ends of the ground.

“I think they will have terrific backing. The players have earned it and deserve it.

“The supporters can have a very big impact and if you get the enthusiasm from the stands it can give you that extra yard on the pitch.”

Fans who have already bought tickets have been tweeting their plans to attend the game, using the hashtags #GotToBeThere and #Believe.

Some Clarets fans have even tweeted their plans to fly in from abroad, or drive hundreds of miles to attend the game.

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Comments (10)

Not really News, this would be better placed on the Blackburn Rovers section, that's where Burnleys three fans spend most of their time.

Not really News, this would be better placed on the Blackburn Rovers section, that's where Burnleys three fans spend most of their time.greenscreener

Not really News, this would be better placed on the Blackburn Rovers section, that's where Burnleys three fans spend most of their time.

Score: -26

Certacito66 says...8:59am Mon 21 Apr 14

First poster a Rovers fan commenting on Burnley fans posting on Rovers articles!!

First poster a Rovers fan commenting on Burnley fans posting on Rovers articles!!Certacito66

First poster a Rovers fan commenting on Burnley fans posting on Rovers articles!!

Score: 16

jim 2012 says...9:11am Mon 21 Apr 14

it will interesting to see if burnley can fill the ground ?

it will interesting to see if burnley can fill the ground ?jim 2012

it will interesting to see if burnley can fill the ground ?

Score: -4

bluewindow says...9:42am Mon 21 Apr 14

The un washed will never fill the turd today spent all their benefits this weekend on cheap cider and Easter eggs.

The un washed will never fill the turd today spent all their benefits this weekend on cheap cider and Easter eggs.bluewindow

The un washed will never fill the turd today spent all their benefits this weekend on cheap cider and Easter eggs.

Score: -15

olister2k says...10:37am Mon 21 Apr 14

half the ground empty against top of the table LCFC the other week, this and every other game will be no different. The marketing muppets have missed a trick here, put a post office in each stand and just play matches on giro day, then they might see higher attendances.

half the ground empty against top of the table LCFC the other week, this and every other game will be no different. The marketing muppets have missed a trick here, put a post office in each stand and just play matches on giro day, then they might see higher attendances.olister2k

half the ground empty against top of the table LCFC the other week, this and every other game will be no different. The marketing muppets have missed a trick here, put a post office in each stand and just play matches on giro day, then they might see higher attendances.

Score: -11

Pendlesider says...12:13pm Mon 21 Apr 14

Burnley can clinch a place in the richest league in the world.. . says it all, its just big business now, all about money, hence the University football thing in Burnley. . £24 turf moor ground entrance fee (bronze ticket, or £32 gold (whatever that is), ye right go pack it and line their pockets... olister2k is spot on, all marketing muppets... . BRING PRICES DOWN and you might Pack the Turf! good luck Burnley FC,

Burnley can clinch a place in the richest league in the world..
.
says it all, its just big business now, all about money, hence the University football thing in Burnley.
.
£24 turf moor ground entrance fee (bronze ticket, or £32 gold (whatever that is), ye right go pack it and line their pockets... olister2k is spot on, all marketing muppets...
.
BRING PRICES DOWN and you might Pack the Turf!
good luck Burnley FC,Pendlesider

Burnley can clinch a place in the richest league in the world.. . says it all, its just big business now, all about money, hence the University football thing in Burnley. . £24 turf moor ground entrance fee (bronze ticket, or £32 gold (whatever that is), ye right go pack it and line their pockets... olister2k is spot on, all marketing muppets... . BRING PRICES DOWN and you might Pack the Turf! good luck Burnley FC,

Score: 0

slants says...12:40pm Mon 21 Apr 14

You can’t not be there. It is a chance to be part of a moment in history. lol and they will pocket all of the money like last time and promotion wont do anything for the town as usual.

You can’t not be there. It is a chance to be part of a moment in history.
lol and they will pocket all of the money like last time and promotion wont do anything for the town as usual.slants

You can’t not be there. It is a chance to be part of a moment in history. lol and they will pocket all of the money like last time and promotion wont do anything for the town as usual.

Score: -5

PK Bailey says...12:58pm Mon 21 Apr 14

Nice to hear from people who know so much about the glorious game of football,slants,Pend lesider,olister2k,mu st be their carers day off!

Nice to hear from people who know so much about the glorious game of football,slants,Pend
lesider,olister2k,mu
st be their carers day off!PK Bailey

Nice to hear from people who know so much about the glorious game of football,slants,Pend lesider,olister2k,mu st be their carers day off!

Score: 3

Lancs - pensioner says...2:42pm Mon 21 Apr 14

It's a bank holiday, your just about to get to the PL which is the best in the world and your begging fans to turn up, it's a disgrace, your going to the promised land, it doesn't get any better than this, still I've got to say we had glory hunters once we went up so I suppose that's life. Your support has always been one of your biggest problems, good luck to the true fans who turn up today, interesting to see your gates next season.

It's a bank holiday, your just about to get to the PL which is the best in the world and your begging fans to turn up, it's a disgrace, your going to the promised land, it doesn't get any better than this, still I've got to say we had glory hunters once we went up so I suppose that's life.
Your support has always been one of your biggest problems, good luck to the true fans who turn up today, interesting to see your gates next season.Lancs - pensioner

It's a bank holiday, your just about to get to the PL which is the best in the world and your begging fans to turn up, it's a disgrace, your going to the promised land, it doesn't get any better than this, still I've got to say we had glory hunters once we went up so I suppose that's life. Your support has always been one of your biggest problems, good luck to the true fans who turn up today, interesting to see your gates next season.

Score: 4

Steven Seagull says...3:16pm Mon 21 Apr 14

The no-dad bitterness and jealousy is clear in abundance for all to see. Hilarious. A little piece of you might just die inside today.

The no-dad bitterness and jealousy is clear in abundance for all to see. Hilarious.
A little piece of you might just die inside today.Steven Seagull

The no-dad bitterness and jealousy is clear in abundance for all to see. Hilarious. A little piece of you might just die inside today.

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